Lesson 17: Are you afraid of…? – materials.enrichenglish.net

Do you or does someone you know have any of these fears?	You	Someone you know
1. fear of heights
2. fear of public speaking
3. fear of flying
4. fear of the dark
5. fear of spiders
6. fear of snakes
7. claustrophobia

2. 💡 Directions

Explain your answers to your teacher.

Sample answer

Teacher: Do you fear of heights? Explain why

Student: I have a fear of heights. For example, whenever I stand on a tall building or look down from a high place, I feel dizzy and scared. It makes me very uncomfortable.

Part 2

Conversation

1. 💡 Directions

Listen and answer 2 questions.

1. What is Daniel afraid of?

2. What is Anthony afraid of?

Daniel & Anthony

Transcript

Daniel: I’m really nervous. I have to give a presentation tomorrow.
Anthony: Oh, you don’t like public speaking?
Daniel: That’s an understatement. I’m terrified of it!
Anthony: Yeah, a lot of people are. In fact, I’ve heard that it’s one of the most common fears.
Daniel: Really?
Anthony: Yeah. It’s even more common than the fear of flying.
Daniel: Are you afraid of public speaking?
Anthony: No, not really.
Daniel: What are you afraid of?
Anthony: Well, I have claustrophobia. I’m afraid of being in small spaces. I’m also uncomfortable around snakes and spiders. They give me the creeps.

Example answer

Daniel is afraid of public speaking.
Anthony is afraid of being in small spaces (claustrophobia). He's also afraid of snakes and spiders.

2. 💡 Directions

Practice the conversation with teacher

3. 💡 Directions

Write the three extra sentences you hear in the conversation. Practice the new conversation.

Daniel: I’m really nervous. I have to give a presentation tomorrow. __________________
Anthony: Oh, you don’t like public speaking?
Daniel: That’s an understatement. I’m terrified of it!
Anthony: Yeah, a lot of people are. In fact, I’ve heard that it’s one of the most common fears.
Daniel: Really? __________________
Anthony: Yeah. It’s even more common than the fear of flying.
Daniel: Are you afraid of public speaking?
Anthony: No, not really. __________________
Daniel: What are you afraid of?
Anthony: Well, I have claustrophobia. I’m afraid of being in small spaces. I’m also uncomfortable around snakes and spiders. They give me the creeps.

Answers

Daniel: I’m really nervous. I have to give a presentation tomorrow. I have to talk in front of 200 people.
Anthony: Oh, you don’t like public speaking?
Daniel: That’s an understatement. I’m terrified of it!
Anthony: Yeah, a lot of people are. In fact, I’ve heard that it’s one of the most common fears.
Daniel: Really? I didn't know that.
Anthony: Yeah. It’s even more common than the fear of flying.
Daniel: Are you afraid of public speaking?
Anthony: No, not really. I enjoy public speaking actually.
Daniel: What are you afraid of?
Anthony: Well, I have claustrophobia. I’m afraid of being in small spaces. I’m also uncomfortable around snakes and spiders. They give me the creeps.

Part 3

Language Booster

1. 💡 Directions

Notice the ways we ask and talk about fears.

Asking about fears

What are you afraid of?
Are you afraid of (public speaking)?
What’s your greatest fear?
Do (snakes and spiders) scare you?

Talking about fears

l’m afraid of/scared of/terrified of (public speaking).
l’m nervous (about public speaking).
(Public speaking) makes me nervous.
l’m uncomfortable around (snakes and spiders).
(They) give me the creeps

2. 💡 Directions

Ask and tell your teacher about one of your fears.

Example

A: What's your greatest fear?
B: I'm scared of spiders. They make me nervous.
A: Can you explain why?
B: ...

Part 4

Pronunciation

Using a low tone to show negative emotion

1.💡 Directions

Listen to these sentences. Notice the low tone used for the words that show negative or serious emotion. Compare it with the higher tone used for positive emotion.

Negative	Positive
1. What’s your greatest fear?	What’s your favorite color?
2. I’m afraid of flying.	I really like flying.
3. Snakes give me the creeps.	Snakes are fascinating creatures.

2.💡 Directions

Ask and tell your teacher about one fear, like you did in the Language Booster section, part B above. This time, be sure to use a low tone for negative words.

Example Answer

A: What's your greatest fear? [low tone]
B: I'm afraid of centipedes. They give me the creeps. [low tone]

Part 5

Speak with confidence

💡 Directions

List things that you are afraid of below. Present it to your teacher. Afterwards, answer any questions from your teacher.

Fears: _____________________________________________________________________

Sample answer

Teacher: Why are you afraid of spiders?

Student: I don’t like how they look and how they move. Even small spiders make me feel anxious.

Teacher: What about public speaking?

Student: I get very nervous when I have to talk in front of a crowd. My hands shake, and I feel like I might forget what to say.

Teacher: Do you think you can overcome these fears?

Student: I think I can. For public speaking, I’m trying to practice more. But for spiders, I’m not sure yet!

Teacher: That’s a good plan. Keep practicing, and you’ll improve over time